Pichincha Sports Concentration (CDP) It has plans to build a new stadium on Olímpico Atahualpa’s property starting in 2024. For this, the investor for this project, which could cost $100 million, has not been identified and that the Municipality of Quito, once the use case is clarified, will approve the plans and implement this idea.
As of 2019, Concentration wanted to remake this institution. This is because the Bataan giant has lost the FIFA rights as it has expired. But, there was a problem: the land was owned by the Cabildo on loan. According to Jaime Ruiz, the head of the entity, the business has already been settled since 2021. Even the leader shows the cadastral certificate “with which we can give a guarantee to any investor”.
Counselor Bernardo Abad asked relevant documents on the ground, Because she does not know if she is still affiliated with the municipality or if she has already moved to the sports organization.
If the land continues on loan, to the CDP It will be difficult for him to promote the project, because various issues will have to be agreed with the municipality and the investor. On the other hand, if the roof is already owned by you, then there will be no problem in carrying out the project as planned.
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Will the Atahualpa Olympics be demolished?
The demolition of Olímpico Atahualpa would not be a problem for the city. Since this build dates back to 1951, Bernardo Abad explains, It is not considered a heritage work for the city It is entirely worthwhile to build the “Atahualpa Arena” as the project is called.
Ruiz’ plan to modernize the stadium is not the first that has been discussed. In 2014, the then Minister of Sports, José Francisco Cevallos, He suggested redesigning the stadium. It was part of the campaign promises for the re-election of the mayor of Quito, Augusto Barrera. The national government would contribute $55 million, but the plan was unsuccessful after the electoral defeat.
Jorge Yonda became the mayor of Quito in 2019 and He suggested “taking” Atahualpa to the center of the world To promote tourism. His idea was to use the land of Patan to set up an amusement park. The epidemic came and then it was dismissed without accomplishing this project.
In this third proposition, he seeks focus Build a sports arena that meets all FIFA standardsAs presented by Ruiz.
What has become clear is that as long as the construction of the new scenario is not completed, The old giant will still stand. In fact, Arena Atahualpa will be built in the back, that is, where the skating rink is located.
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Why does Olímpico Atahualpa need a renovation?
Atahualpa Olympic Stadium It is one of the historical scenarios of Ecuadorian sports. It was inaugurated on November 25, 1951 and has a current capacity of 35,258 spectators. He saw ‘the trio’ qualify for the World Cup for the first time.
Moisture is one of the problems that the structure suffers from. Added to this were the leaky roofs, worn bleachers, bars, pressure area and unmaintained changing rooms. Aesthetically, the stadium’s façade has deteriorated due to a series of alterations made without much care.
“Cracks and leaks appear every time and at the bottom of this playing field you can have nothing at all,” said the Christian Democratic party chief. The only good thing is the grassindicating a contradiction with the ancient structure of Atahualpa.
For these reasons, the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL), He sent a letter stating that the stadium no longer met the requirements to play an international match.
It was a red alert, it was triggered when “The Ecuadorian national team told us: we’re leaving Because we need to be in a modern stadium,” says Ruiz. He also realized that no matter how much investment to remodel the stadium, its infrastructure held it back.
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What will Atahualpa Square be like?
The sports complex according to the CDP curriculum, It will be one of the newest places in South America And it will host not only football matches, but also music events. The retractable pitch is the most striking technology that the new Santiago Bernabéu has, where Real Madrid plays.
What does this technology consist of? Natural grass is allowed to be removedwith the aim of becoming a multifunctional space to host all kinds of performances, concerts, conferences or exhibitions.
In addition, it will house many restaurants, commercial and cultural buildings, and even a five-star hotel and It can accommodate 50,000 spectators.
Construction of the Atahualpa Arena is expected to begin in 2024 and finish, in the best case, in 2029. This investment will cost between 60 and 100 million dollars.
Before the pandemic, ten interested companies participated from the United Kingdom, Germany, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and five from Ecuador. However, only Gecar from Colombia and Juego de Pelota from Mexico remained. One of them will be selected to implement this project.
The winning company will be announced in the coming weeks.From there they will start all the procedures so that this mathematical project can be implemented.
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